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Legal Services of North Dakota

EIN 45-0336235 · Bismarck, ND

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak49 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OUR TEAM COMPASSIONATELY AND RESPECTFULLY ADDRESSES THE LEGAL NEEDS OF VULNERABLE POPULATIONS TO PROVIDE TIMELY ACCESS TO JUSTICE EMPOWERING OUR COMMUNITY WITH EDUCATION AND KNOWLEDGE.

Income
$3.1 million
Spending
$3.3 million
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
1.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 67%
Employees
33
Volunteers
15
Highest pay
$139,725, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 49 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 56% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 25% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)
  1. $1.8 million spent. WE HANDLED OVER 8,000 REQUESTS FOR LEGAL SERVICES, INCLUDING NEARLY 4,000 ONLINE SUBMISSIONS THROUGH OUR STATEWIDE INTAKE SYSTEM. OUR ATTORNEYS AND PARALEGALS PROVIDED ESSENTIAL LEGAL REPRESENTATION AND ADVICE TO LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES ACROSS NORTH DAKOTA. THIS PROGRAM ADDRESSED A WIDE RANGE OF CIVIL LEGAL ISSUES, INCLUDING HOUSING, CONSUMER PROTECTION, FAMILY LAW, AND ACCESS TO PUBLIC BENEFITS, ENSURING THAT VULNERABLE POPULATIONS HAD FAIR ACCESS TO JUSTICE, PROTECTION OF THEIR RIGHTS, AND OPPORTUNITIES TO STABILIZE AND IMPROVE THEIR LIVES.
  2. $548,788 spent. WE PROVIDED SPECIALIZED LEGAL SERVICES TO 1,021 SENIORS, ASSISTING WITH HEALTHCARE DIRECTIVES, POWERS OF ATTORNEY, WILLS, AND ESTATE PLANNING, AS WELL AS OTHER CIVIL LEGAL MATTERS UNIQUE TO OLDER ADULTS. THESE SERVICES EMPOWER SENIORS TO MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS ABOUT THEIR HEALTHCARE, HOUSING, AND FINANCIAL AFFAIRS, IMPROVING THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE AND REDUCING THE RISK OF EXPLOITATION AND ABUSE.
  3. $372,769 spent. THROUGH OUR DEDICATED VICTIM SERVICES PROGRAMS, WE SUPPORTED 199 VICTIMS AND FAMILIES IMPACTED BY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, HUMAN TRAFFICKING, AND OTHER CRIMES. OUR ATTORNEYS PROVIDED CRITICAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE, INCLUDING OBTAINING PROTECTION ORDERS, ADVOCATING IN COURT, AND CONNECTING CLIENTS WITH RESOURCES FOR SAFETY AND STABILITY. THESE SERVICES PLAYED A VITAL ROLE IN HELPING VICTIMS ACHIEVE JUSTICE AND REBUILD THEIR LIVES FREE FROM VIOLENCE AND FEAR.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since March 1977.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.

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